Dive vacations in balmy, tropical regions are a boon to most divers, who relish the thought of finally diving without a wetsuit. If you’re renting gear, we can totally understand why some people would rather not wear exposure protection, especially in warm bathwater temperatures, but there is still a good case to be made for wearing it anyway. Of course, you can dive however you like; it’s your vacation! But allow us to give you three good reasons to wear exposure protection on every dive.
Hypothermia
Did you know you can get hypothermia even in warm water? True story. Hypothermia technically sets when your body temperature falls to “subnormal,” which begins at 95F (35C). Our bodies usually function between 98 and 100F (36-38C), which means the water temperature would have to be more than 95F (35C) to sustain the body. And while tropical waters might feel warm, they most certainly don’t reach those temperatures often.
Your body loses heat in the water up to 26 times faster than it does on land, and water temperatures can vary widely at different depths. Protecting your core with at least a spring suit or skin can help you retain that precious body heat so you can enjoy your dive safely.
Marine Life
We all know the diver’s mantra, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles,” which basically advises us not to touch the things we observe in the sea. But sometimes, things in the sea touch you without asking, and if it is a venomous species, you could be left with a nasty, painful welt, or even worse, depending on what stings you. Wearing exposure protection creates an effective barrier between you and any inadvertent brushes with marine life you may encounter.
Abrasions
Coral reefs and underwater geological formations are often sharper than they look, and what seems like barely a brush with an edge can deliver an abrasion or cut rather easily. Many divers opt to wear gloves even on warm water dives for this reason, as well as the venomous marine life. If you want to protect your whole body but are concerned about overheating, try a jumpsuit skin instead of a full wetsuit. If you get too close to a sharp edge or corner, it will snag on your suit rather than your skin!
